Our Story, so far...

The Youth Ministry Team was established in 1994 by Bishop Ambrose Griffiths to answer the call of the Second Vatican Council:

‘The young should be the first apostles of the young, in direct contact with them,

exercising the apostolate by themselves, among themselves, taking account of their social environment’. (Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, 12)

From the beginning, we gathered together young adults from all over the world to live in community and to give school missions. At the heart of the mission experience is the message of God’s unconditional love for each one of us. Over the last 25 years, this community has continued to be at the heart of the work of YMT providing peer ministry through the generosity of young volunteers from almost every continent.

We aim to help young people to discover their own unique value and to reach their full potential. We have developed a strategy of school missions, residential retreats and local area youth ministry. We support the adults who work with young people, helping them to provide opportunities for young people to grow in faith and take their place in the Church sharing their unique gifts and taking up their responsibility in the world.

In 2010, the Emmaus Village (formerly known as the ‘Youth Village) was opened as a residential centre. This enabled us to offer a truly holistic experience and create a more lasting impact on young people from many different backgrounds and starting points to explore faith and life issues in a relevant and interactive way.

Bishop Ambrose at the opening of the Emmaus Village

One of the first 'Gap Year' Teams.

We started giving missions in primary and secondary schools.

We present the Gospel though dance, music, and movement.

We present to Gospel in a lively and creative way.

We work with adult leaders in parishes and partnerships across the diocese.

During the Feast of Christ the King we also celebrate National Youth Sunday.

In 2001 we started the Diocesan Secondary Schools Summer Festival.

Cardinal Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, visiting the Emmaus Village in 2015.

Our aim is to encourage young people into a relationship with Christ.

Sr Helen Prejean, author of 'Dead Man Walking', has spoken many times to our young people.

In 2010, Ant and Dec opened the Emmaus Village.

We cater not just spiritually but gastronomically as well.

Peer ministry is at the heart of our work at the Emmaus Village.

We offer a place for young people to take a retreat and a bit of 'me' time.

Launch of the area missions.

We begin the process through initial proclamation, whereby the team carry out various activities such as school missions, outreaches, and monthly events. It is in these activities that we present the Gospel in an interesting and radical way, through drama, dance, music, and multimedia – a language that is most effective and appealing in today’s youth culture.

Each mission reflects upon the basic gospel message, presenting in a lively, modern and interesting way the God of Love whose desire is that all of us reach our full potential. We proclaim and announce God who accepts us where we are and loves us so much that he challenges us to grow and experience the fullness of life (Jn 10:10).

Recognising evangelisation as a process, we enable young people to experience a retreat and to grow in their faith in an environment where they will feel comfortable and relaxed. YMT strongly believes that retreats are a very important part of the faith journey of our young people and is essential to our work in evangelisation.

We hope that, through the support of parish or deanery area groups, young people can experience a sense of belonging and be enabled to grow as members of the Church community in faith and service. The training and support of adults is an important part of this process.

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